Joseph Calleja's concert - Tribute To Pavarotti - was great for Brian Schembri is a great conductor, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra is superb and the soloists in their graceful and strong voices enhanced the audience.

However, the same mistake that took place at Manoel Island last year repeated itself last Saturday without the authorities and the organisers having learned their lesson. I am referring to the seats sold for €80: Bronze row A onwards.

I had the misfortune of buying five Bronze tickets to find myself at the back of the stage without ever having a good look at the stage, the conductor or the soloists themselves.

In order to console us, a monitor was mounted and once we also had the privilege of the soloists running to the back of the stage to the cheers of the crowd.

I can assure readers that the waiters serving champagne behind the bars had a far better view of the stage and the performers than the unfortunate guests who bought the €80 Bronze tickets.

It would have been wiser to put the bar at the back of the stage and have more seat- ing capacity facing the performers.

Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the minister responsible for culture who should force the organisers to refund the guests the full amount of what they paid.

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